Safety device



SAFETY DEVICE Filed March 5, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 "III 11' i ,1 -20 g4 "ll/1 72 I ,0. 3

mum as INVENTOR BdOR/VULF JOHMSBV 1 .mihwm Q HIS ATTORNEYS July 21, 1936. B, JQHNSEN 2,048,387

SAFETY DEVICE I Filed March 5, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 new? FIS. W I ma INVENTOR ms ATTORNEYS July 21, 1936.

B. JOHNSEN SAFETY DEVICE Filed March 5, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HIS ATTORN EYS Patented July 21, 193 6 UNITED STATES PATENT emce- SAFETY DEVICE Bjornulf Johnsen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to. ,liarry T. Goss and Bjornulf Johnsen, copartners trading under the firm name and style of Goss & Johnson, New York, N. Y.

Application March 5, 1932, Serial No. 597,081

22 Claims. (01. 1s7 1s2) This invention relates broadly to the control of fluid, either liquid or gaseous, flowing through a 'conduit. More particularly, the invention relates to the stopping of the flow of fluid automatically 5 upon the occurrence of a certain event such as, for instance, a break in the conduit, or a change in the temperature, beyond a predetermined range, in proximitythereto;

In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a 10 valve controlling the flow of an inflammable liquid, such as gasoline, delivered, say, through a hose to a vehicle tank'from a fluid dispensing device adapted to. dispense gasoline and other liquid fuels at roadside service stations and the like, of the kind in whichthe pump is automatically actuated, as by a motor.. In such fluid dispensing devices heretofore known, the operator, upon removing the nozzle from its support, starts the motor, for instance, by closing the circuit, manually or otherwise, and then moves to the vehicle tank where he can see exactly how much the tank will hold and serve it without spilling. I

If, while the fluid is being delivered, the vehicle should unexpectedly move off with the nozzle still inserted in the fuel tank, the hose may'either be torn or brokenor such a strain placed upon the fluid delivery device as to damage materially some or all of the parts thereof and, if a break occurred, inflammable fluid would flow out into v3Q the'surrounding area and create a fire hazard.

Similarly, if a fire should break out when fluid is being delivered, the flames of the burning fluid enveloping the hose or the heat therefrom might besuflicient to prevent the operator from return- 5 ing to the dispensing device to shut off the motor withthe result that the pump would continue to deliver inflammable fluid and feed the 'fire, thus rendering possible a conflagrationof great extent and also increasing materially the fire haz- 40 ard. When it is considered that, under ground storage tanks for gasoline sometimes have a capacity of one thousand gallons, which is delivered by the service pump at the rate of 12 or 15 1 gallons per minute, it will be readilyv appreciated 45 that the fire hazard in connection with such fluid dispensing devices is a' great one.

One objectof the invention is, therefore, to provide that, when a force is exerted on a hose or ,pipe, a fracture will occur at a predetermined 50 point, which fracture shall automatically result in the closing of the conduit to the flow offluid. :Accordingly, the wall of the conduit is weakened at at least one predetermined point, and provision is '1 made toinstantaneously release a valve and per- 55 mit it to close the conduit.

In another of its aspects, the invention is applicable as a safety valve'in a pipe line conducting illuminating gas, say, into or throughout a building, as at the meter in theservice line from the gas main in the street, Or such a safety valve 5 may be disposed on each floor or in each branch pipe line in a building. In any event, should damage to the line occur or aflre break out, the valve will automatically close the conduit.

The invention is equally applicable to the con duit conducting fuel oil to burners, say, on shipboard or in buildings, for the same purpose.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is responsive to a predetermined temperature to close a conduit for fluid of any character. Accordingly, a valve is placed in the conduit, as between the hose and an outlet from a fluid dispensing device, which valve has a tendency to close but is retained in open position by a device operative to hold the valve open, but rendered inoperative at a predetermined temperature to permit the valve to close. More particularly, the means which holds the valve in its open position against, say, the action of a spring tending to close the same may be, at least in part, of a material fusible at a predetermined temperature.

The invention also has for its object the-disposition, within the conduit, of the temperature responsive element which holds the valve in open position. a

It is also an object of the invention to provide for the rapid transfer of heat from theexterior of the fluid passage to the interior and tothe element responsive to the predetermined temperature.

Still another object of the invention is a heat responsive element associated with the walls of the conduit, through which walls the heat will be transferred thereto.

Yet another object is to prevent the dissipation 40 of the heat conducted through the walls of the fluid flowing therewithin. To this end, the fluid may be separated or isolated from the heat transferring wall, conveniently, by a wall either-nonconductive to heat or refractory.

It is a further object of the invention to incorporate the valve and its associated controlling means in a self-contained unit adapted to be interposed in a fluid conduit at a desired point.

The invention further seeks, for the control of a member movable for any purpose whatsoever, an element responsive to a. given set of conditions as, for instance, a force applied thereto or .a temperature change, which responsive element,

may, if desired, be replaceable.

70 an Lorlassociated or contiguous partsior a rise in tem- The invention also seeks a device of the character described, which is practical from the standpoint of ease and cheapness of manufacture and convenience and reliability in installation and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the, accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments by which the invention may be realized, and in which: a

Figure l is a view, in front elevation, of a fluid dispensing device to which the invention is applied;

Figure 2 is a view showing, on an enlarged scale, a controlling device for a fluid passage, in longitudinal section and partly in elevation;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, on a still further enlarged scale, of the temperature responsive device illustrated in Figure 2 and taken in the plane indicated by the line of Fig- -ure 2 and lookingin the directionoi the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view similar to FigureZ, but, on an enlarged scale, showing the temperature responsive device of Figure 2 after l1avin ;responded to the raising of its temperature to a predetermine t oi wh reb ,the o duitisc d to the passage of fluidg, 1 s

Figuret} is a fragmentary view, in longitudinal section, showing a modified form of-temperature responsive device in positionholdingthe valve or other movable element in its; inactive position Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the device after it ,has responded to a chan e in temperature, thereby releasing the movable element for movement; I Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bridge member adapted to hold a valve .stem in open position, which member may be securedwithin the .confines ofithe conduit; .7 t, i V

, Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken in the plane indicated by the line 8,8 of Figure 5, and looking in'thev direction of :the arrows;

Figure ,9 is a view substantiallysimilar to Figures 2,and 4 in which the heat responsive device isinsulated fromthe, fluid flowingthrough the conduit; l c

Figure 10 is a view in transverse section taken -on the line ILL-l0 .of Figure 9; H, .c .i Figure 11 is a view showing still another modification of theinvention. in longitudinal section, which. may also be insertedlinianylpipelinelcr conduit;:. l uFigure 12 shows still another modification of the invention in longitudinal section; and .1 .m Figure 13 is a fragmentary view, in longitudina section, showing still anothermodiflcation of a temperature responsive element controlling a movable element. s

While the invention has been illustrated as applied to afluid dispensing. -device having a hose lfondelivery of fluid, it will .be apparent,.as :the description proceeds, that the invention isv not limited in its application to liquid dispensing devices having hoses .for the deliveryzof liquid but that it is equally applicable in any situation in which the flow. of any fluid, eitherl liquid or gaseous, is. to be controlled dependentiupon the happening, of an event, as a ruptureinthe conduit rperature. t

' Inthe application of the invention illustrated 'in Figure 1, a standard or housing Zilof any con- -.venient shape is adapted to support and contain the devices for establishing the flow of fluid from a source, such as a tank (not shown), say, beneath the ground and measuring it for delivery from a nozzle 22 on the end of a hose 24 into, say, the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The hose 24 is shown as leading from an outlet fitting 26 of any convenient kind.

It is proposed, in accordance with'this invention, to provide a device, indicated generally at 28, 46, in Figure 1, between the end of the hose 24 and the fitting 26, which shall control the flow of fluid through the hose and interrupt its flowunder certain conditions such as when there is a pull on the hose of such magnitude as to rupture it or displace or-otherwise damage the dispensing device or any of its parts, or as the result, say, of a fire subjecting the fluid within the hose to a temperature such as to cause the fluid to ignite. In other words, a device 28, 46 is installed, inthe fluid conduit which shall interrupt the flow of fluid upon a rupture of the conduit or upon an increase of temperature to that above which the device is normallyexposed; i

, In the modification illustrated. in. Figures 2, -3

bearing member 38 carried, say,.by a'.;spideri0-" mounted in the valve casing portion. 28, f'llhe .valve 34 is normally moved to its seat 32, inxthe illustrated embodiment, by a spring .42. -;:Depend ingdownwardly from the valve 34 in a direction opposite to that of the stem portion 36 is.a valve stem portion. 4 3. Preferably, the two; portions 35 and 44 of the valve stem are in axial prolongationwith one another and are disposed in theaxis .of the conduit, the downwardly dependingvalve stem portion 44 passing through the valyeopening into a portion of the conduit formed by a'supplemental tubular fitting 45. conveniently threadved into the end of the separable valve chamber portion 30. Obviously, the portions 28,- 30 and 46 are illustrated as separable only from. manufacturing considerations, although it is desirable to form the member 66 as a separablec'element'so that it.may be replaced if a fractured. v,Iothe fitting 36 is secured the hose. 24 intanyo convenient. fashion, .as by a coupling member: 2 5; a ll.

As shown, this fitting 46 may beicapable of fracture when a predetermined forcen-is applied thereto or to the conduit in which'iit is inserted.

Conveniently it may have a weakenedportion.

thin, as at a point 48, so ,thatany pull on. the

'hose or displacement of a pipe relative to the :axis of the fitting greaterthan a predetermined one willcausea rupture of. the flttingz'atithe The. supplemental fitting .46 is propoint 48. vided with means to retain a movable member in one position of its movement. As-shown; there is mounted therein a bridge'member.152,.formed substantially, as shown, say, in Figure v'7, of a strip of relatively light material, such as metal, having downwardly bent parallel flanges '54 on ;each. side, for strength, but-shortertturned up ,ends ortabs 56 which areshownin the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 as-passing-through slots 75 .That is, the wall of the-fitting .may be relatively 2,648,387 58' in ears extending, in a pl ne substantially transverse to the conduit, from an annular or tubular carriermember 62 secured'within the supplemental fitting 46; As shown in Figure '2, this annular supporting member 62 is ,carried upon a shoulder 64, formed in the inner wall of the conduit portion 46. The upwardly extend:-

ing ends or tabs 56 on the bridge member 52 may conveniently be secured to the ears 6!) by a material 65, such as solder, fusible atapredetermined temperature. The carrier 62 and bridge-member 52 areso disposed in the passage 41 as to be engaged by the valve stem 44 when the valve is in fully retracted position, the passage being thus open to the flow of fluid. Thus the normally movable member 44 is restrained. Obviously, the valve stem 44 may represent any movable element operative to'p'erformsome function, such as opening a switch, for instance, and

the spring may represent anydevice in which power (kinetic or potential energy) may be stored fers, the shoulder 64 will support thering under 7 normal conditions. r

If, now; a strong pull is exerted 'on the hose 24, the conduit 46 will rupture at the point 48 and the two parts :of-the conduit 46 will separate at that point, thus permitting the bridge 52 and the parts to which'it is secured to move or fall away from the valve casing and allow-the spring 42 toforcethe valve 34 upon its seat 32, thuseffectually closing the conduit to the flow of fluid and preventing (any escape thereofbelow the break ,1. Similarly, should the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the conduit'46-be raised above that temperature at which the' solder is fusible, the solder 65will fuse and the-forceexerted on the bridge member 52 by the spring 42 throughthe instrumentality of the valve stem 44 will forcethebridge member '52 away from its support 62, as shown invFigure 4, permitting the spring 42 to seat the valve 34 and I close th'e conduit to the passagelof fluid" I 1 .To facilitate the transfer of heat from the outside by the conduit portion 46, itswall is made of a good heat absorptive material and outward- 1y thereof is formed with a plurality ot" fins 66, conveniently circumferentially. extending, thus offering an extended surface for heat absorption; Thereby .is the temperature of the 'member 46 rapidly raised and. the heat is conducted readily therethrough andto the carrier 62, the tempera turelof which .is raised tothe desired degree, whereby the solder 65, securing the tabs-56 to the cars 60,- is fused, thereby releasing the bridge fromvthe carrier and permitting it-to be moved away from the. carrier by the movable: member 44 under the influence, conveniently! of expansible means such as the spring 42. 0bvious1y; member 62 should also be ofgood heat'conductive material. 1 311 L In the modification illustrated in Figures 5. 6, '1v and 8,.theconduitportionv46 is provided with a tubular. carrier 68, not provided with the ears of the previous embodiment'but the tabs-on the bridge SZ are elongated, as shown at '16, and are substantially the same lengthas the axial dimension of "the carrier 68 to'which they aresecui'ed by'a material. such as solder 12, fusible at a predetermined tem era ure. The j otherelei'ments of the device may be substantially as here inbefore described and .for any purpose and similarIr'eference characters are aflixed to corr sponding parts in thesefigures' 'Herefagain, V i

when the temperature of themember 46 is raised,

heat istransmittedj therethrough to the carrier 66; causing the solder, at leastat one] tab I6; to fuse-releasing the sameso that the force of the spring causes the bridge to be bentdownwardly as'shownin dotted lines in Figure 6, or, where the solder'on both tabs Illis fused, the spring pressed stem 44 forcesthe bridge whollyaway from the carrieriill and'alows it to drop down.-

w'ardly into the passageiasjshown in full lines.

Inthe same situations itmay be found desirable toprevent the transfer of heat'fromj the carrier to the fluid flowing through thejcond'uit so that substantially allof the heat; unitscon ducted through the walls ofthe conduit fwillbe utilized in the heating ofthe solder and n'otdissipated by conduction in the fluid. To this end, as shown in Figures 9 and 10; a carrier 68 has attached thereto a bridgemember 52 .havi ngrelatively short upstanding tabs 61 secured to the carrier by suitable adhesive 69fusible at the required temperature. Surrounding the inner face 'of} the wall of the conduit is a tubular shield ,II of- 1 some non-conductive or refractory material formed with-diametrically opposite cut away parts I or-slots'liso' that the shield 1| may t-"do n over thebri'dge 52. The upperorinner extrem ities of the slots "I3 merge into recesses I5, in the outer face of the shields and it is within these recesses that the tabs 61 and solder are'disposed. The shield is conveniently positioned ,onjthe ledge formed by the upperend of the carrier 68 as by a downwardly facing shoulder "IT on the outer surface of the shield; f

-If now'the conduit 46 is heated, the heat will be conducted rapidly therethrough to the annular carrier 68.- This carrier may be madeof any material of good'heat conductivity such as copper.

. No heat is dissipated from the carrier into the fluid because of the shield II; As thecarrier is raised to a sufficient temperature, heat is transferred to the-fusible material 69 which fuses'iand releases thebridge 52.- The device then acts as explainedin connection with previously described embodiments. f Due to the fact that fluid flowing through the conduit will carry away the heat conducted through the walls thereof very rapidly andthus, insome situations, preventing the effective operation of the'responsive deviceshown, for in stance, iii-Figure l0 but not inFigures 1 through 8, there may be provided,' if found necessaryfthe construction illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, whereby the dissipation of theheat ispreve nted. Any 'movablef member may be controlled. There is shown as -an' illustration, the valve member hereinbefore" described in connection witlifl Figures 2 and 10, and similarreference characters have been -afiixed to "corresponding parts shown in Fi'gure ll; atubular responsive member I =isiformed with flangesIBZ, 'I'63l by whichby means-bf'coupling members I64, the tubular member I60 is secured toproxim ate conduit sec tions, say,onthe one hand, by flange I62 to the separable member '30 and on the other hand by v .7 v l i v ngi K of j a slightlyismallii you id diameter "Ithe responsiveelemenh[60 ure; at flffahdth refracso ry cylinder w'ill also fracture at one of .the

i a .-1. 2L' i .sInrmittiii ,h str ur ll ze ov thi f i Qf f c r i ei e awa yi iw t i the rj'idee' lifi 'r l a b th m v ble member 44.11 511 the other hand, the temperature of the ns r fiev e l a se Jeevmdanredet r: 9 1 1 1 s i ie l he :Wi l be bsor ed :th febyItocause ittoiuse. Since t e heat can? h i s a aby eq vea ea n Flea-1 iicwm ugh the conduit Iby" ,reason of the non con lwf l r Shield. '6 ther beiw ea the-re: e a n lw w d fu t s r lewme t e ufre fi l w. ih'ee n 39 .1 us n an a lqw ithe s rinate mice e espon iv leleme awa and erase the valve.

llat A substantially similar device .is

edin Eieure l6 an cerre noudinerete f i ls r applied t mi a pa ts. n Jihe res lnward y ife P t J 78, 80 aredisn sed two nsge 3PIQQC1Y mflliia1 in: Ehcated as [82 and'l84, and their point gfucon 55 ta t is s ps nti lly th lane refined-we k 1; that wh the Demon -H8 and-M e m h 151K139 se rate as he iwe ei eeoaduqti 8 members 11 e earaie Pattie san n neiand theve se io at nelyaive to in r a eiem e H 3 i -9 J; J ,7 iqfi l 1.5.5 fall awa o a i -p she he rn ab en iia r AA. 1 9.5 Fb.. P .g. flies beiq e: ew tub ine1e .!.a2 ,..m4,

' a 2 f e e meees rntion .01

1Q .nit rd attire e ement at, V

agi a 1: i e r. hesiiou 'qe $6411 bfideeimerabe l 92 q d'gheatgcon uctiveimaterial ar d annular in vit e u' fihthe alk f tn when the :tempe fe r ee qthe b id e; H2 i ra sed 'iir ie min dtem e a t eir u bl t; Zjjll f .es,;.permitting power means tqforce 2. -iIlQY Pl -m mber 4. d w we ybecauser e j lten1m ria 'Q 't e. le rifl pfi rs no obstructiontp themovement of themember; 44,.and it he the valve may be closed or othermoyement fiected andif the conduit portionis fractured, ajs described, for instance, in connection with theer nlgodiment of l fi urez, thedevice will oper, at s eqes t bodimen .of Fi ur :2. i at W l iam bese c hatals fe va ve-0 ou valve orrfire hazard valve;has been provided whleh involves an element responsive either ;to force pr heat or both andineither eventpermitting onaelement to move relativeto another .element to permit the actuation of amqvable memher as, for instance, to release a closure .member, which movable member closes an orifice through which fluid normally passes ormay perform some other movement. The ;heat conductive material and/ or the fusible material may be so selected as not to respond to the normal temperatures, 40 such as sunlight, to which the. device .is exposed but vill respond to temperatures thereabove and, similarly, the strength ;of thematerial may be fi l Q d uch as ,to withstand the. strains-normaliy imposed thereon. -It will be further 'ob-' served that the responsive element, whether the bri e Iliece and carrier of Figures 2, 3,4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 1 0, 13, or ,a members capable of fracturing, arefall readily removable and replaceable so that the same movable .member may be reused and only the member or solderisubject to destruction needbe replaced. 7

While the inventionnhas been described as responsive in some situations to arise in temper a-itulie, itwill bev apparent;that, in its broadest aspectait. is within the purview of the invention to, provide a device responsive to a drop in temperature to control orrestrain the movement of .a' iven element. r

Various modificationsv will occur to those 0 skilled in the art in the composition, configuration andidisposition" of the component elenents. going to makeup the invention as a whole as well as in theselection and combination of the individual elements hereinbefore described,

and their use to perform; a desired function, and no limitation is intended by the phraseology ot t l e foregoing description or illustrations in the accompanying drawings, except as indicated in. iheianpendedc aim What is claimed is:-

1 In a device of thecharacter described, in combination, a valve having a, valve casing, a valves ten; extending into, a conduitportion as,

sggiated ,withsaid valve casting, aseat therefor. 75.

high heat conductivity to conduct heat from the conduit portion to the restraining means."

2..In a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, of a valvecasing insertable therein comprising a valve having a i' valve stem extending without the casing and a seattherefor, a spring normally urging the valve to its seat,v a tubular conduit portion of heat conductive material into which the valve stem extends, said conduit portion being provided outwardly thereof ,with fins of conductive material, a tubular carrier of heat conductive material in heat conducting relation with and carried by the conduit portion therewith, a bridge memberadapted to be secured to the carrier and to be engaged by the valve stem in valve open position, the coacting surface of said carrier and bridge being adhesive to a fusible material and amaterial therebetween fusible at a predetermined temperature. I

3.,In a device of the character described,;the combination with a conduit, of a valve casing insertable therein comprising a valve having a valve stem extending without the casing and a seat therefor, a spring normally urging the valve to its seat, a tubular conduit portion ofheat conductive material into which the valve stem extends, a tubular carrier of heat conductive materialin heat conducting relation with and carried by the conduit portion therewithin, a bridge to, be engaged by the valve, stem in valve open position, the coactingsurface of said carrier and bridge being adhesive to a fusible material and a material therebetween fusible mined temperature. i

,4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, of avalve casing insertable therein comprising a valve having a valve stem extending without thecasing and a seattherefor, a spring normally urging the valve to its seat, a tubular conduit portion of heat conductive material into which the valve stem extends, a' tubular carrier of heat conductive materialin' heat conducting relation with and carried bythe conduit portion therewithin and means comprising at least a fusible element adapted to be secured to the carrier and to be engaged by the valve stem in valve open position; r

.5. In' a device of the character described, the combination with. a conduit, of a valve casinginsertable therein comprising a valve having a valve stem, extending without the casing and a seat therefor, a. spring normally urging the valve to its seat, atubular conduit portion of heat conductive material into which the valve stem extends, said conduit portion being provided outthe valve stem in valve open position, the coacting surfaces of ,said .stop and conduit being adhesive to a fusible material, a material therebetween fusible at a predetermined temperature and a tubular shield of refractory material withi,

in the tubular conduit portion and serving to conduit thefluid flowing therethrough out Qfi 20 .1

,tact with the tubular conduit portion,

at a predeter 6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, of a valve casing insortable therein comprising a valve having a valve stem extending without the casing and a seat therefor, a spring normally urging the valve to its seat, a tubular conduit portion of heat conductive material into which the valve stem extends, a stop carried with an end of the conduit portion remote from the valve and engaged by the valve stem in valve open position, said stop comprising at least a portion of fusible material adherent to said conduit portion and a tubular shield of refractory material within the tubular conduit portion and serving to conduct the fluid flowing therethrough out ofcontact with the tubular conduit portion. I

7. The combination with a conduit having a movable member therein, of a conduit portion of heat conductive material, fins thereon, a heat carrier therewithin and in heat exchanging relationship therewith, a bridge carried with the carrier and formed with a passage for the mov-'- V able-member and a closure for the passage in heat exchanging relationship with the bridge and of a material, fusible at a predetermined temperature and engaged by the movable member.

8. Ina device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, a movable element normallytending to move in one direction and having at least a portion disposed within the conduit, an annular carrier of heat conductive material carried with the inner surface of the conduit, an abutment member'normally restraining movement of 'said element, a solder fusible at a predetermined temperature securing the M 1 abutmentimember to the carrier and an annumember adapted to be secured to the carrier and lar shield insulating the carrier and solder from thecontents of the conduit;

'9. In a device of the character described, the combination. with a conduit, a movable element normally tending to move in one direction and having at least a portion disposed within the conduit, an annular carrier of heat conductive material carried with the inner surface of the conduit, an abutment member normally restraining movement of said element, a solder fusible at a predetermined temperature securing the abutment member to the carrier and an annular shield of heat insulating material insulating the carrier and solder from the contents of the conduit.

'10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, a movable element normally tending to move in one direction and nular shield of-heatinsulating material formed with cut-away portions to receive the tabs, respectively, and-insulating the carrier and solder from r the contents of the conduit. wardly thereof with fins of heat conductive material, a stop carried with an end of the conduit portion remote from the valve and engaged byportion insertable therein having a valve seat, a

.fusiblev at a;.predetermined temperature and and engaged by said valve stem end in valve open position and 'comprising material fusible at a predetermined temperature,

12; In a device of the character described, the

', combination with a conduit, of'a valve casing portion insertable therein having a valve seat, a valve in the valve casing portion having avalve stem whereof an .end extends without the valve casing portion, a spring normally urgingthe valve to its seat,rarconduit portion into which said tend of' the valve stem extends and provided with a shoulder,- an abutment member supported from the shoulder and engaged by said valvestem. end in. valve open position and comprising material fusible at a predetermined temperature and separate means having high heat conductivity to conduct heat from-the conduit portion to the fusible material. V 13. In a device of the character described, the .combinationnwith' a conduit; of a valve casing Valve ;in-the valve casing portionihaving a valve stem whereof an end extends-without the valve casing, portion, a spring normally urging the. valve to its seat,-a.conduit' portion into which said end of the valverstem; extends andprovided with a. shoulder, an abutment 'membersup'ported :from the shoulder'and engaged by said valve stem end in valve open position and comprising material? means-to conduct heat from the conduitportion to thefusible material and a tubular shieldxof refractory ;.material within the 'conduittportion and serving to conduct fluid" flowing therethroughout of contact with the area of the inner surface of the conduit portion-adjacentthe-fusible material; i

14. In'a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, of avalvecasing v,portioninsertable therein havinga .valve seatya valvein the valve casing portion having a valve stem whereof an end extends without the valve casing portion, a spring normally urging the valve to its seat, a conduit portion into which said end of the valve stem extends and provided-with -a shoulder, anabutment member comprising fusible material supported fromrthe shoulder and engaged by said valve, stem end in valve open position and a tubular shield of-refractory material-1 within the conduit portion and serving to conduct fluid flowing therethroughout of contact with a predetermined area of the innersurface-ofthe conduit portion.

15. "In a device of the character-described, the combination, with a conduit, of; a-valve casing; portion insertable'therein having a valve seat,-'a-,- valve'in the valve casing portion having a valve stem whereof an end extends withoutthe valve casing portion, a spring normallyurging the valve to its seat,- a conduit portion: into which said end of the valvestem extends andwprovidedawith 'a a shoulder, and an abutmentmember-supported from the shoulder at at least two points'lyingin angularly related radial planes. respectively and. engaged by said valvestem end in valve-open position and comprising .materialufusible at a 1 predetermined temperature; said fusible mate'- rial being so disposedas to receive heat'from the Wall of the conduit portion at at least'two points ;in angularly related radial planes.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination with a conduit, of a valve casing portion insertable therein having a valve sealt 'a valve inthe valve casing portion having a valve astem whereof an end extends without the valve l ner surface of the conduit portion.

two points, and a tubular shield of refractory ma .100;

terial'within the conduitportion and serving to conduct fiuid flowing therethrough out of con tact with the area of the innersurfaceof the" conduit portion adjacent the fusiblematerial.

17. In a device of the character described 'th'e .158,

combination with a conduit, of a valve casing portion insertable therein having 'a valve seat, avalve in the valve casing portion having -'a'valve-" stem whereof an end extends without the valvevalve to its seat, a destructibleconduit portion-= into which said end of the valve stem' extends andprovided'with a shoulder, an abutment member comprising fusible material supported from the casing 1 portion, a spring normallyi urgingthe shoulder and engaged by said valve stem end in valve open position and a tubular shield of re'- fraetory 'materialwithin the conduit portion and I serving to conduct fluid flowing therethroughout" of contact with a predetermined area of the in=- 18.- In -a device of the character described, 'in combination, a conduit portionconductive-to heat, a valve-casing connected to -the conduit" portioma valve-having-a valve stem; a seat for the valve-, a spring-normally urging thevalve on; it's seat; restraining means carriedwith the con duit portionand engaged by the valve""stem-in valv'e open position comprising at least one por tion fusible at a predetermined temperature and a separate portion within the conduit portion having-'higlr heat conductivity to'conduct heat from the conduit portion to the fusible portion; 19-. In 'a device-of the character?describedythe combination "with a conduit; of a 'valve casing portion insertable therein having a valve seat;a valve in the-valve casing-portion having a 'valvfeif of-the valve stem extends and whereof the. wall is offsetyand a "fusible abutment member sup-' ported at at least two points lying in angularly related radialplanes respectivelyand engaged by said valve stemend in valve open position, where by the stem-is releasable from' valve'open position upon destruction of one of said supporting points. 20; A safetydevice'of-the characterdescribed comprisingavalve casing havingfa valve seat in the fluidway; 'a valve normally tending to move into engagementwith said seat, restraining'means' for the valve engaging thevalveand holding .it I

in valve open position, comprising, at least a ,p,or-

tion-in close proximityptd the casing wall and f within the fiuidway and" fusible atJa' predeter-Y mined temperatureand separate means within the 'fiuidway having relatively high heat conductivity to conduct 'heat from the casing wall to'the" restraining portions.

21.- -A safety device of the character described comprising a valve'casing having a valve seat in the fluidw'ay, a valve normally tending to move contacting *relation with and carried by "thecas ing wall within-the fluidway;'a bridge member adapted to be secured to the carrier proximate a portion thereof in contact with the casing wall and engaging the valve and holding it in valve open position, the coasting surface of said carrier and bridge being adhesive to a fusible material and a material therebetween fusible at a predetermined temperature.

22. A safety device of the character described comprising a. valve casing having a valve seat, a

10 valve normally tending to move into engagement with said seat, restraining means for the valve engaging the valve and holding it in valve open position, comprising at least a portion in contact with the casing wall fusible at a predetermined temperature and separate shielding means to conduct fluid flowing through the casing out of contact with the casing wall proximate the fusible portion of the restraining means. 

